Vincent Kompany defends teammate Joe Hart

Vincent Kompany has defended Manchester City teammate Joe Hart after the England goalkeeper was at fault for Wales’ goal on Thursday.

Hart failed to keep out a 35-yard free kick from Gareth Bale, but was rescued by goals from Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge as England came back to win the Group B clash 2-1.

And Kompany, working as an analyst for ESPN in France, believes that the goalkeeper is hugely important for Roy Hodgson’s men on and off the pitch.

“Never mind the mistake, [it’s good to] get it out of the door early,” he told said “It has not cost his team; he handled the rest of the game perfectly and everything before that.

“England are very lucky to have a goalkeeper like Joe Hart and, mark my words, there will be a save that he will make at some stage that will help England progress.

“As a footballer he has improved, but as a character in the dressing room he has taken up responsibility. He has big shoulders now and I think he thrives on responsibility now. That makes him a natural leader for the team, never mind his qualities on the pitch.

“Before people starting talking about the mistake, think about what England would lack if he wasn’t there.”